BWW Student Center's School in the Spotlight: Messiah College

The BroadwayWorld Student Centeris a comprehensive Student Database listing college and university performing arts programs across the country making it easier for prospective students by showcasing programs searchable by schools, location, degrees and concentrations.

The Student Center also offers a show calendar of college and high-school productions where schools can upload photos, videos, cast lists, articles and other media content for each of their shows. BWW will be combing through all content regularly and will launch weekly feature stories highlighting productions locally and nationally that have provided us with this extra content.

In a dynamic exchange between learning and doing, between theory and practice, students engage theatre as a forum for civic dialogue where history, culture, politics and religion meet to give form and meaning to our world. As part of the Theatre program, the following options are available.

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre

We offer a rigorous exploration of historic and Contemporary Theatre practice within a vibrant liberal arts tradition. Our curriculum includes applied studio courses in acting, directing, and technical production and design as well as course work in dramatic literature, theatre history, and theory. Each year the theatre major applies classroom and studio knowledge to a robust six-production season of contemporary and classic plays.

During the second semester of the junior year theatre majors propose a Senior Capstone Project.This portfolio-building project represents the culmination of the student's training and serves as a bridge to graduate programs, professional theatre, or other job opportunities.

Theatre majors spend their first two years training a the Climenhaga Fine Arts Center/Calvin and Janet High Center at Grantham. During their junior year, students select a pre-approved enrichment institution where they continue their training (Temple University, Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, Ireland). Upon returning to the Grantham Campus during senior year, each theatre major is required to complete a capstone portfolio project within his or her chosen emphasis.

This demanding professional major will prepare you for a competitive career in musical theatre, and is the only program within the CCCU (Council of Christian Colleges & Universities) that is accredited by NAST (National Association of Schools of Theatre). Extensive training in acting, dancing and singing will provide you with a comprehensive performance background.

With the opportunity to be involved in a minimum of three on-campus productions, participate in music and dance ensembles and various internship opportunities, you'll gain a wealth of real-world performing experience.

The B.A. in Theatre (Business) will prepare you for work in the front office of nonprofit arts organizations such as theaters, museums, galleries, and music performance groups of all types. You will receive training in both theatre and business so that you'll be equipped to make sound decisions in both areas. Your education will also enable you to effectively communicate with the artists with whom you will work, and the business-oriented supporters of arts organizations.

The degree requires you to do extensive work in theatre so that you will have a "hands-on" understanding of an artist's life and work. You will also receive a thorough background in business, giving you the tools to make the sound financial decisions which enable and support the work of the arts organization.?Preparation in the arts and business will come together in specific training for arts management, including a required internship with a local arts organization. Through arts management, you can develop your artistic ability to a high level, but also have the practical training of a solid business background.

The 2012-2013 production season at Messiah will present A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD on February 7-17, ANTIGONE on April 4-14, and THE FANTASTICKS on May 2-6. For tickets and more information, click here.

To learn more about the theatre program at Messiah College, click here.

Questions/concerns/suggestions related to BWW's student center can be addressed to studentcenter@broadwayworld.com